Defamation trial: Court rejects Sowore’s bid for long adjournment, fixes July 16 for defence

Folami Olamide

Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has rejected an application by the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, seeking a lengthy adjournment in his ongoing trial over alleged defamatory comments against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Justice Mohammed Garba Umar, in a ruling delivered on Monday, declined the request and fixed July 16, 2026, for the continuation of the defendant’s case, insisting that the trial should proceed without further unnecessary delays.

Sowore is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations that he described President Tinubu as a criminal in posts published on his Facebook page and X (formerly Twitter) account.

At the resumed hearing, Sowore’s counsel, Mr. Reuben Adakole, urged the court to adjourn the matter until after the court’s two-month annual vacation.

He informed the court that the defendant’s lead counsel, Chief Olumide Fusika (SAN), was currently out of the country attending to pressing family matters and would be unavailable for the proceedings.

The application was strongly opposed by counsel to the DSS, Mr. Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), who argued that the request was merely another attempt to stall the trial.
Kehinde reminded the court that the case had already suffered about ten previous adjournments at the instance of the defendant, adding that granting another lengthy adjournment would further frustrate the criminal proceedings and undermine the interest of justice.

In a brief ruling, Justice Umar refused the application, relying on the court’s earlier directives aimed at ensuring the speedy determination of the matter. The judge consequently ordered Sowore to return to court on July 16 for the continuation of his defence.

Earlier in the proceedings, the defence called its first witness, Abuja-based lawyer, Mr. Deji Adeyanju, who testified that President Tinubu, during an official engagement in Benue State, publicly stated that Nigerians have the constitutional right to criticise, insult and call him names as part of democratic freedom.

To support his testimony, video clips containing the President’s remarks were played in open court.

However, during cross-examination by DSS counsel, Adeyanju admitted that he had previously represented Sowore as his lawyer before withdrawing from the case.

He also acknowledged that although President Tinubu encouraged citizens to freely exercise their democratic rights, the President never suggested that individuals who violate the law should be exempt from legal consequences or prosecution.

Following the day’s proceedings, Justice Umar adjourned the matter until July 16, 2026, for the continuation of the defence case, setting the stage for further hearings in the closely watched trial.